National Arson Awareness Week May 3-9, 2015

USFA Announces the 2015 Arson Awareness Week Partners and Theme

Emmitsburg, MD – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is pleased to partner with the State Farm Arson Dog Program, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, International Association of Arson Investigators; National Association of State Fire Marshals; National Volunteer Fire Council; National Fire Protection Association; Coalition Against Insurance Fraud and the Insurance Committee for Arson Control to announce the theme for the 2015 Arson Awareness Week: Accelerant Detection Canines — Sniffing Out Arson.

USFA and its partners will use the week of May 3rd through May 9th to focus on the value and contributions accelerant detection canines make to fire departments, law enforcement agencies and their communities.

The canines assist in closing arson cases and act as a deterrent resulting in a reduction of the arson problem. The canines can cover an entire fire scene in 30 minutes which could take an investigator an entire day. An accelerant detection canine locates more accurate evidence samples reducing the amount of costly analysis by the laboratory. Therefore, the dog saves the department and community both time and money.

“Arson is a heinous crime and especially difficult to prosecute,” said Deputy United States Fire Administrator Glenn A. Gaines. “We owe it to our investigators and to the public to help them with the most effective tools available to battle this dangerous and costly crime.”

There were about 17,400 intentionally set fires in homes each year during 2010-2012. These fires caused 275 deaths, 800 injuries and $513 million in property damage and loss. During this same time frame, there were 9,000 intentionally set fires in commercial buildings. These fires resulted in $282 million in property damage and loss. This information was provided to U.S. fire departments and reported by the U.S. Fire Administration.

For more information regarding the 2015 Arson Awareness Week, go to www.usfa.fema.gov/aaw.

For more information regarding Accelerant detection Canines, go to
www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/canine/